Courtney Announces Bill to Extend Equal Benefits to Fire Police

Congressman Joe Courtney joined with firefighters, fire police and other first responders at the Gales Ferry Firehouse Monday to announce new legislation that would extend public safety officer death benefits to fire police.

Courtney’s legislation would ensure equal treatment of fire police within the Public Safety Officer’s Benefit (PSOB) program, clarifying their eligibility for benefits. The legislation was result of a conversation that took place last year between Courtney and Gales Ferry Fire Chief Anthony Saccone.

Saccone, who spoke at the morning announcement ceremony, recalled a traffic accident on Route 12 two years ago at which Gales Ferry Fire Police member Larry Laflamme, then 70, was nearly struck by a passing car. Laflamme was present Monday for the announcement.

“We’re trying to correct an inequity in the law that governs the Public Safety Officers Benefit Program,” Saccone said. “The program doesn’t recognize a fire policeman who daily puts his life on the line directing traffic away from emergencies. A fire policeman is a public safety officer by directing the public away from danger.”

“In towns across eastern Connecticut, fire police are first on the scene right along with police, fire fighters and EMTs,” said Courtney said. “If, God forbid, they are injured or killed in service to their community, it is only right that they receive the same benefits as other public safety officers. This bill would cut through bureaucratic red tape, and ensure that fire police get the benefits they earn and deserve.” 

PSOB provides a one-time benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths were the direct and proximate result of an injury sustained in the line of duty. It also provides a one-time benefit to eligible public safety officers who were permanently and totally disabled as a result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty.

Fire Police from Ledyard, Gales Ferry and several other companies within the mutual aid response area attended the announcement. Courtney and others who spoke said fire police officers provide unique and varying emergency response services in Connecticut and other state. But because there is no uniform national designation for fire police, many of these public servants face additional hurdles in accessing benefits that other public safety officers receive.

The bill, which will be introduced this week in Washington, already has two co-sponsors: Reps. John Larson (CT) and Betty Sutton (OH).